More patients struck down by killer superbug

There have been another seven cases of a potentially deadly superbug at Salford Royal hospital. Bosses were investigating a surge in cases of Clostridium difficile (C.diff) after it was listed as a cause of death for four patients.

There have been another seven cases of a potentially deadly superbug at a Greater Manchester hospital.

Bosses of Salford Royal were investigating a surge in cases of Clostridium difficile (C.diff) after it was listed as a cause of death for four patients.

Another seven hospital patients have been struck down by the bug in the last three weeks.

In total 15 deaths were linked to the surge in cases, but hospital bosses say their investigation shows it did not cause the other 11 deaths.

The new cases bring the total of infections to 89 at the hospital since the start of March.

Hospital bosses believe 45 cases were picked up in the community and 44 were definitely caught on the wards.

Chris Brookes, medical director at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “We strive in every way to provide safe, clean and personal care to our patients.

“Our performance over the last four years shows that we are one of the top performing hospitals in the NHS. So it is of great concern to us that we experienced this sudden increase in infection.

“I would like to reassure patients and their families that our staff are determined to do everything they can to enhance measures to prevent and control infection in the hospital. The latest figures reflect a successful reduction in the number of cases.

“It is always very sad when a patient who we have tried to save unfortunately dies, and we offer condolences to their families. However, I want to reassure the public that these patients were admitted to Salford Royal already having the infection.”

Hospital bosses say their investigation found:

Four patients who died in hospital with C.diff being a contributory cause of death were admitted to the hospital already having the infection;

The other 11 patients who tested positive for C.diff, died in hospital, but not as a result of the infection

The hospital worked with the Health Protection Agency and community health providers to examine each death and try to understand the increase in cases.

They say the investigation is now complete.

The hospital has also struggled with the norovirus stomach bug over the last few months and during April it forced the closure of nine wards.

Salford Royal – considered one of the country’s best performing hospitals after it scored ‘double excellent’ for patient care and management for the last four years – has a government target not to exceed 117 cases of C.diff between April 2010 and March 2011.

Staff have stepped up hand-washing and are being trained in new techniques to stop the spread of the bug. Hospital bosses are checking on wards and hold weekly infection prevention and control meetings.